Absorbent article having a multi-component visual signal

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article comprising a first layer comprising a nonwoven having a first colored region that includes at least one of a central colored region, an intermediate colored region, and an outer colored region; and a second layer comprising a polymer film having a second colored region that includes at least one of a central colored region, an intermediate colored region, and an outer colored region; wherein the first colored region differs from the second colored region. The article may further comprise a background region. The background region may be visually distinguishable from at least one of the first colored region and the second colored region.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/548,603,filed Aug. 27, 2009, which is in turn a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. Nos. 12/188,543 and 12/188,598, both filed Aug. 8,2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an absorbent article having a multi-componentvisual signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of absorbent articles that include different colored regionsare available in the market. Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkinsand female adult incontinence articles that function to collect fluiddischarged from a woman's vagina or urethra sometimes include a coloredregion proximal the central portion of the absorbent article thatdiffers in color from portions of the absorbent article remote from thecentral portion of the absorbent article.

By including a colored region in the central portion of the absorbentarticle, manufacturers of absorbent articles have effectively taughtconsumers that the central portion of the absorbent article is where thefluid collected should reside. Manufacturers have devised a variety ofdesigns for central colored regions. In some absorbent articles, thecentral colored region is relatively narrow as compared to the overallwidth of the absorbent article and extends only along about one-half ofthe length of the absorbent article. One possible reason that relativelynarrow central colored regions were adopted was that such coloredregions could provide a desired visual impression, such as theimpression of depth. Central colored regions also might help theconsumer understand how her use and placement of the product in herpanty might be affecting the staining pattern of absorbent article,which might help her improve how and where she mounts the chassis of theabsorbent article in her panty to achieve maximum performance.

One problem associated with narrow central colored regions on absorbentarticles is that some consumers associate stain patterns that extendoutside the central colored region as indicating that the absorbentcapacity of the absorbent article is exhausted. In some absorbentarticles, the central colored region could account for less than 25% ofthe absorbent capacity of the absorbent article.

A variety of materials having outstanding widthwise and lengthwise fluiddistribution properties are available. Such materials can distributecollected fluid to regions of the absorbent article remote from thecentral colored region. An absorbent article capable of more widelydistributing fluid in the absorbent article can be advantageous becausewider fluid distribution can effectively increase the absorbent capacityof the absorbent article. One drawback to widely distributing fluid inan absorbent article is that the stains of such fluid might travel wellbeyond the central colored region, if present. As mentioned above,stains outside of the central colored region might be alarming to thewearer. Making the central colored region larger may not be anattractive design option because larger colored regions might make theabsorbent article appear to be bulkier and be perceived as not providingfor comfortable fit.

With these limitations in mind, there is a continuing unaddressed needfor absorbent articles having a visual impression that that areperceived by wearers as having adequate fluid storage capacity to meettheir needs. Further, there is a continuing unaddressed need forabsorbent articles that reassure the user that fluid in the absorbentarticle in regions outside of a relatively narrow colored region issecurely retained in the absorbent article and she need not worry abouta leak.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is an absorbent article having a centroid, a longitudinalcenterline, a transverse centerline orthogonal to the longitudinalcenterline and intersecting the longitudinal centerline at the centroid,and a body facing surface. The absorbent article comprises a backgroundregion. The absorbent article comprises a central colored regioncoincident with the longitudinal centerline. The absorbent articlecomprises an intermediate colored region substantially circumscribingthe central colored region, wherein a portion of the intermediatecolored region extends across the longitudinal centerline, wherein alongthe transverse centerline part of the background region is between theintermediate colored region and the central colored region. Theabsorbent article comprises an outer colored region, wherein at leastpart of the background region is between the outer colored region andthe intermediate colored region. The background region, the centralcolored region, the intermediate colored region, and the outer coloredregion are viewable from the body facing surface. The central coloredregion, the intermediate colored region, and the outer colored regiondiffer in color from the background region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an absorbent article.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an absorbent article.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an absorbent article.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the absorbent article illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an absorbent article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

“Absorbent articles” as referred to herein can be sanitary napkins,pantiliners, or incontinence pads that are worn in the crotch region ofan undergarment. It is conceivable that baby diapers, adult incontinencediapers, and human waste management devices might benefit from thepresent invention even though they are conventionally not worn inconjunction with an undergarment. Absorbent articles can be disposableabsorbent articles.

The term ‘color’ as referred to herein includes any primary color, i.e.,white, black, red, blue, violet, orange, yellow, green, and indigo aswell as any declination thereof or mixture thereof. The term ‘non-color’or ‘non-colored’ refers to the color white which is further defined asthose colors having an L* value of at least 80, an a* value equal to0±2, and a b* value equal to 0±2.

The term ‘disposable’ is used herein to describe absorbent articles thatare not intended to be re-launched or otherwise restored or reused asabsorbent articles (i.e., they are intended to be disposed of after asingle use).

Non-limiting examples of panty liners and sanitary napkins which may beprovided with multi-component visual signal include those manufacturedby The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, such as ALWAYSULTRA, ALWAYS INFINITY, and ALWAYS pantiliners. Absorbent articles suchas those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,324,246, 4,463,045, 6,004,893,4,342,314, 4,463,045, 4,556,146, 4,589,876, 4,687,478, 4,950,264,5,009,653, 5,267,992, and Re. 32,649 are also contemplated as beingabsorbent articles that might benefit from such a multi-component visualsignal.

A top view of an absorbent article 5 is shown in FIG. 1. The absorbentarticle 5 can have a substantially planar configuration and a centroid40. The centroid 40 can be the intersection between the longitudinalcenterline L and transverse centerline T. The absorbent article 5 canhave a body facing surface 10 and a garment facing surface. Theabsorbent article 5 can have a machine direction MD and a cross machinedirection CD, these terms being used as they are commonly used by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 5, can be considered to have aviewing surface that is the body facing surface 10. The body facingsurface 10 can be the side of the absorbent article 5 that is in contactthe wearer's body when the absorbent article 5 is worn, as might be thecase for a sanitary napkin, panti-liner, or adult incontinence product,or is inserted into the wearer's body, as might be the case for atampon. For a generally cylindrical tampon, the longitudinal centerlineL is considered to be on the body facing surface 10 of the tampon,aligned with the central axis of the tampon and the centroid 40 can bethe midpoint of the longitudinal centerline L. The absorbent article 5can have a central colored region 60, an intermediate colored region 80,and an outer colored region 100. The central colored region 60,intermediate colored region 80, and outer colored region 100 can beviewable from the body facing surface 10.

When the body facing surface 10 of the absorbent article 5 is viewed,the absorbent article 5 can have a background region 50. The backgroundregion 50 is a region that is visually distinguishable from the centralcolored region 60, the intermediate colored region 80, and the outercolored region 100. The background region 50 can be white or any othercolor visually distinguishable from the central colored region 60, theintermediate colored region 80, and the outer colored region 100. Twocolors are believed to be visually distinguishable if there is a ΔE,which is discussed further below, between the two colors of at leastabout 1. Two colors can be more visually distinguishable if there is aΔE between the two colors of at least about 3.

The central colored region 60 can be coincident with the longitudinalcenterline L. The central colored region 60 can be part of the topsheet30. The central colored region 60 can be part of the absorbent core 90,the absorbent core 90 being disposed between the topsheet 30 and thebacksheet 92. The central colored region 60 can be positioned on a layerintermediate the topsheet 30 and the absorbent core 90. The centralcolored region 60 need only to be visually perceptible when the bodyfacing surface 10 is presented to the viewer. The central colored region60 can be provided by printing, pigmenting, dyeing, or other known meansfor creating a contrast in color of a substrate. Providing the centralcolored region 60 coincident with the longitudinal centerline L can makethe absorbent article 5 to appear to be thicker than an absorbentarticle 5 that is devoid of a central colored region 60. The centralcolored region 60 can be coincident with the centroid 40, which mightmake the absorbent article appear to be more symmetric, which might beperceived as providing for better fit and performance. The entire outercolored region 100 can be positioned away from the transverse centerlineT such that no part of the outer colored region 100 intersects thetransverse centerline T.

The central colored region 60, as shown in FIG. 1, can be asubstantially elongated shape. Without being bound by theory, it isbelieved that elongated shapes that are aligned with or on thelongitudinal centerline L may make the absorbent article 5 look as ifthe absorbent article 5 is slim as compared to an absorbent article 5devoid of such an elongated shape. A consumer might associate such animpression with a belief that the apparently narrow absorbent articlewill fit comfortably in the crotch of her panty. The central coloredregion 60 can have a width less than about 50% of the maximum distancebetween portions of the periphery 110 coincident with the transversecenterline T.

The intermediate colored region 80 can substantially circumscribe thecentral colored region 60. By substantially circumscribe, it is meantthat more than n radians around the center of mass of the centralcolored region 60 is circumscribed by the intermediate colored region80, which corresponds to the intermediate colored region 80 radiallycircumscribing more than about 50% of the central colored region 60.More than about 1.5π radians around the center of mass of the centralcolored region 60 can be circumscribed by the intermediate coloredregion 80, which corresponds to the intermediate colored region 80radially circumscribing more than about 75% of the central coloredregion 60. More than about 1.8π radians around the center of mass of thecentral colored region 60 can be circumscribed by the intermediatecolored region 80, which corresponds to the intermediate colored region80 radially circumscribing more than about 90% of the central coloredregion 60. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that theintermediate colored region 80 might be understood by wearers as anintermediate portion of the absorbent article 5 beyond which if stainingoccurs, the wearer should consider being more alert to the potentialneed to change the absorbent article 5 in the proximal future. Theintermediate colored region 80 can be provided by printing, pigmenting,dyeing, or any other known means for creating a contrast in color of asubstrate.

An outer colored region 100 can be positioned such that the intermediatecolored region 80 is positioned between the central colored region 60and the outer colored region 100. Providing an outer colored region 100such that the intermediate colored region 80 is between the outercolored region 100 and the central colored region 60 is thought topossibly provide several benefits. For instance, for absorbent articles5 capable of laterally distributing collected fluid, stains in theabsorbent article 5 that appear beyond the intermediate colored region80 need not worry the wearer because the absorbent article 5 likely hassufficient absorbent capacity to contain additional fluid. By providingan outer colored region 100 outwards of the central colored region 60and intermediate colored region 80, the wearer of the absorbent article5 might better understand that the portion of the absorbent article 5comprising the outer colored region 100 has additional fluid storagecapacity because the wearer might understand that the outer coloredregion 100 is placed in such location to indicate to the wearer thatstaining in that location is not necessarily undesirable. The outercolored region 100 can be provided by printing, pigmenting, dyeing, orother known means for creating a contrast in color of a substrate.

The central colored region 60 and intermediate colored region 80 can bespaced apart from one another. Such an arrangement can be desirable sothat poor registration of the central colored region 60 and theintermediate colored region 80 that might occur during manufacturingmight be obscured as compared to a design in which the central coloredregion 60 and intermediate colored region 80 are butted up against oneanother. Alternatively, the intermediate colored region 80 can bepositioned substantially adjacent to the central colored region 60. Suchan arrangement might be useful in that staining that occurs in anintermediate colored region 80 that is substantially adjacent thecentral colored region 60 can provide an indication to the wearer thatincreased vigilance by the wearer might be advisable as the generallycentral portion of the absorbent article may be approaching capacity.

The outer colored region 100 can be positioned on the longitudinalcenterline L. Without being bound by theory, an outer colored region 100positioned on the longitudinal centerline L is thought to provide thebenefit that when staining occurs in such an area, that the wearershould be prepared to change the absorbent article within a relativelyshort period of time.

In some embodiments, at least part of the background region 50 can bebetween the outer colored region 100 and the intermediate colored region80. Such an approach is thought to provide for a background region 50and outer colored region 100 that are perceptibly distinct from oneanother. Similarly, along the transverse centerline T, part of thebackground region 50 can be between the intermediate colored region 80and the central colored region 60, to provide for perceptibly distinctregions.

The absorbent article 5 can comprise two outer colored regions 100disposed such that the two outer colored regions 100 are positioned onthe longitudinal centerline L and the central colored region 60 isbetween the two outer colored regions 100. Such an arrangement might bedesirable in that the two outer colored regions 100 will tend to belocated towards the front (oriented towards the pubic region) and backends (oriented towards the anal region) of the absorbent article andstaining in the outer colored regions 100 can be an indicator that theabsorbent article 5 should be changed. Arranged as such, theintermediate colored region 80 can be between each outer colored region100 and the central colored region 60.

The central colored region 60 can have a central colored region areathat is between about 15% and about 50% of the area of the absorbentcore 90 measured in the MD-CD plane. The outer colored region 100 can beless than about 15% of the area of the absorbent core 90 in the MD-CDplane.

As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent article 5 can comprise two outercolored regions 100 in which the two outer colored regions 100 arespaced apart from one another such that the longitudinal centerline L isbetween the two outer colored regions 100. By placing two outer coloredregions 100 on opposing sides of the longitudinal centerline L, theouter colored regions 100 are located somewhat in proximity to theperiphery 110 of the absorbent article 5. As such, staining occurring inthe outer colored regions 100 located in proximity to the periphery 110can be an indicator that the absorbent article 5 is approaching or hasabsorbed the maximum amount of fluid that the absorbent article 5 isdesigned to store. In another embodiment, the absorbent article 5 cancomprise two outer colored regions 100 that are spaced apart from oneanother such that the transverse centerline T is between the two outercolored regions 100.

The absorbent article 5 can be considered to have a first end 150 and asecond end 160. The first end 150 and second end 160 can be consideredto be on opposing sides of the transverse centerline T. The first end150 can comprise two outer colored regions 100 on opposing sides of thelongitudinal centerline L. Similarly, the second end 160 can comprisetwo outer colored regions 100 on opposing sides of the longitudinalcenterline. Structured as such, the absorbent article can comprise fourouter colored regions 100 dispersed away from the central colored region60. As the absorbent article 5 might have the capacity to absorb fluidin these outer colored regions 100 remote from the most central portionof the absorbent article 5, the outer colored regions 100 can indicateto the wearer that the staining in such areas is not a cause forimmediate alarm. The first end 150 can be the end of the absorbentarticle 5 oriented towards the wearer's pubic area when worn and thesecond end 160 can be the end of the absorbent article 5 orientedtowards the wearer's anal area when worn.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have the background region50 completely frame at least the central colored region 60. Forinstance, the background region 50 can be between the central coloredregion 60 and the periphery 110, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In effect,the central colored region 60 is set off or distinct from the periphery110 so that the central colored region 60 does not contact the periphery110. This may be desirable because for many absorbent articles 5 inwhich the periphery 110 comprises a bond between the topsheet 30 andbacksheet 92, the bond might not be absorbent and a central coloredregion 60 in contact with such bond might be misunderstood by the weareras being absorbent. For the same reason as above, the central coloredregion 60, intermediate colored region 80, and outer colored region 100or outer colored regions 100 might be substantially surrounded by thebackground region 50. That is, the background region 50 could be betweenthe periphery 110 and the any of the central colored region 60,intermediate colored region 80, and outer colored region 100 or outercolored regions 100.

To provide for more visually coherent designs, the central coloredregion 60, the intermediate colored region 80, and outer colored region100 can be within a CIELab color space volume of less than about 200.CIELab color space volume is discussed in more detail below. With suchan approach, the colors of the central colored region 60, intermediatecolored region 80, and outer colored region 100 do not differsubstantially to the eye of most viewers and viewers might perceive thecolors to be shades or subtle variations of the same color. Subtlevariations in color are thought to be pleasing to the eye, much likesample paint chips having slightly varying colors that can bepleasurable and interesting to view. If less distinctiveness between thecentral colored region 60, intermediate colored region 80, and outercolored region 100 is desired, the central colored region 60,intermediate colored region 80, and outer colored region 100 can bewithin a CIELab color space volume of less than about 50.

When the body facing surface 10 of the absorbent article 5 is viewed,the background region 50, central colored region 60, intermediatecolored region 80, and outer colored region 100 are viewable by anobserver. The central colored region 60, intermediate colored region 80,and outer colored region 100 are visibly distinct from the backgroundregion 50 in that central colored region 60, intermediate colored region80, and outer colored region 100 each differ in color from thebackground region 50. The central colored region 60 and the backgroundregion 50 can differ in color by a ΔE, which is discussed in more detailbelow, of at least about 1. Similarly, the intermediate colored region80 and the background region 50 can differ in color by a ΔE of at leastabout 1 so that the intermediate colored region 80 is noticeable againstthe background region 50. The outer colored region 100 and thebackground region 50 can differ in color by a ΔE of at least about 1. Toprovide for simple manufacturing, the central colored region 60,intermediate colored region 80, and outer colored region 100 can beprovided on a first layer of material in the absorbent article 5.

The central colored region 60 can be darker than the outer coloredregion 100. The darkness of a color can be quantified as L, discussedbelow, with lower values of L corresponding to darker colors. Such adesign might be useful for situations in which the central portion ofthe absorbent article 5 has a greater fluid capacity than moreperipherally located portions of the absorbent article 5. Further, acentral colored region 60 that is darker than the outer colored region100 may provide for improved stain masking in the portion of theabsorbent article 5 with which the central colored region 60 iscoordinated. It may not be desirable to mask a stain in the outercolored region 100 as much as in the central colored region 60 becauseif the wearer does not perceive the stain, she might not recognize thatshe should consider changing the absorbent article 5 in the near future.For the same reasons with respect ensuring that stains in relativelyremote portions of the absorbent article 5 are apparent to the wearer,the central colored region 60 can be darker than the intermediatecolored region 80 and the intermediate colored region 80 can be darkerthan the outer colored region 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent article can comprise a first layer 20and a second layer 22. The first layer 20 can comprise a colored regionselected from the group consisting of the central colored region 60, theintermediate colored region 80, and the outer colored region 100. Thesecond layer 22 can comprise a colored region selected from the groupconsisting of the central colored region 60, the intermediate coloredregion 80, and the outer colored region 100, wherein the colored regionof the first layer 20 differs from the colored region of the secondlayer 22. In such an embodiment, different colored regions can belocated on different layers of the absorbent article 5, the layers beingcombined to create the overall visual impression. In manufacturing, thefirst layer 20 and second layer 22 can each be provided with the coloredregion or regions desired to be disposed thereon and the first layer 20and second layer 22 can be combined in the manufacturing process

It is thought that by having different colored regions on differentlayers of material of the absorbent article 5 that a richer visualimpression can be created on the absorbent article 5. For instance, ifthe central colored region 60 and outer colored region 100 (or outercolored regions 100) are on different layers of materials, when viewed,at least one of the colored regions will be viewed through the layercomprising the other colored region. A colored region viewed throughanother layer material can have a significantly different visualimpression in terms of softness/diffuseness of the image, somewhat likethe difference between a matte finished photograph versus a glossfinished photograph or the way an undergarment looks beneath a sheerarticle of clothing. Further, if the first layer 20 and second layer 22are different material types, for example one is a film and the other isa nonwoven, different coloring techniques might be used on each layer.For instance, contact printing (e.g. gravure printing) might be employedfor providing a colored region on a film and inkjet printing might beemployed to provide a colored region on a nonwoven. Such a multilayerapproach might also allow changes in certain colored regions to be madeconveniently on-line during manufacturing. For instance, a singlemanufacturing line could be used to produce a plurality of absorbentarticles 5 having identical central colored regions 60 and outer coloredregions 100 that vary from absorbent article 5 to absorbent article 5.

The first layer 20 can be a topsheet 30. The first layer 20 can be afluid pervious polymer film or a nonwoven material. The first layer 20can be a secondary topsheet 30 or insert, for instance an intermediatelayer that is between the material in contact with the wearer's bodywhen worn and the absorbent core 90 that is designed to collect andretain fluid. The first layer 20 can be an absorbent core 90. The firstlayer 20 can be a fibrous nonwoven wherein fibers from the nonwovenprotrude through the second layer 22. Fibers from the nonwovenprotruding through the second layer 22 can be provided by needlepunching or other suitable method for moving the fibers of one webthrough another web such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,683.

The second layer 22 can be a topsheet 30. The second layer 22 can be afluid pervious polymer film, a nonwoven material, or another suitablefluid pervious material. The second layer 22 can be a secondary topsheet30 or insert, for instance an intermediate layer that is between thematerial in contact with the wearer's body, such as the topsheet 30,when worn and the absorbent core 90 that is designed to collect andretain fluid. The second layer 22 can be an absorbent core 90.

Each of the central colored region 60, intermediate colored region 80,and outer colored region 100 can be provided to a layer by a techniqueselected from the group consisting of ink jet printing, gravureprinting, flexographic printing, lithographic printing, and screenprinting. In one embodiment of the method of fabricating, the colorationtechnique by which the central colored region 60 is colored differs fromthe coloration technique by which the outer colored region 100 iscolored.

A cross section of the absorbent article 5 illustrated in FIG. 1 isshown in FIG. 4. As illustrated, the absorbent article 5 can comprises atopsheet 30, a backsheet 92, and an absorbent core 90 disposed betweenthe topsheet 30 and the backsheet 92. In some embodiments, eachcomponent of the absorbent article 5, and the absorbent article 5itself, as illustrated in FIG. 4, can be considered to have a bodyfacing side 11 and a garment facing side 12. The body facing side 11being oriented towards the wearer's body or vaginal wall when theabsorbent article is in-use and the garment facing side 12 opposing thebody facing side 11. A tampon would not be considered to have a garmentfacing side since it is worn in the interior of the body.

Any of the central colored region 60, intermediate colored region 80,and outer colored region 100 can be disposed on or be part of any layerof the absorbent article 5 so long as these colored regions are visuallyperceptible from the body facing side 11 of the absorbent article 5.These colored regions can be located on, for example, the body facingside 11 or garment facing side 12 of any layer of the absorbent article5. For instance, the central colored region 60 can be printed on thebody facing side 11 of the absorbent core 90 and the outer coloredregion 100 can be printed on the garment facing side 12 of the topsheet30. Any of the central colored region 60, intermediate colored region80, and outer colored region 100 can be provided on an insert positionedbetween the topsheet 30 and the absorbent core 90.

As shown in FIG. 5, the outer colored region 100 can be positioned suchthat the outer colored region 100 is between the central colored region60 and the intermediate colored region 80. Such an approach might bedesirable if the intermediate colored region 80 is placed proximal theperiphery 110, which might be perceived as a barrier to fluid flow.

The color of the central colored region 60, intermediate colored region80, outer colored region 100, and background region 50 are measured bythe reflectance spectrophotometer according to the colors' L*, a*, andb* values. The L*, a*, and b* values are measured from the body facingsurface 10 of the absorbent article 5 inboard of the periphery 110 ofthe absorbent article 5. The difference in color is calculated using theL*, a*, and b* values by the formulaΔE=[(L*_(X).−L*_(Y))²+(a*_(X).−a*_(Y))²]^(1/2). Herein, the ‘X’ in theequation may represent the central colored region 60, the intermediatecolored region 80, outer colored region 100, or the background region 50and ‘Y’ may represent the color of another region against which thecolor of such region is compared. X and Y should not be the same twopoints of measurement at the same time. In other words, for anyparticular comparison of the difference in color, the location of X isnot the same as the location of Y.

Where more than two colors are used, the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ values alternatelyinclude points of measurement in them also. The key to the ΔEcalculation herein is that the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ values should not stem fromthe same measured point on the viewing surface. In those instances wherethere is effectively no background region 50 within the confines of themeasurement area, the ‘X’ values should flow from a point different inspatial relationship to the ‘Y’ values, but within the confines of theperiphery absorbent core 90.

Reflectance color is measured using the Hunter Lab LabScan XEreflectance spectrophotometer obtained from Hunter Associates Laboratoryof Reston, Va. An absorbent article 5 is tested at an ambienttemperature between 65° F. and 75° F. and a relative humidity between50% and 80%.

The spectrophotometer is set to the CIELab color scale and with a D65illumination. The Observer is set at 10° and the Mode is set at 45/0°.Area View is set to 0.125″ and Port Size is set to 0.20″. Thespectrophotometer is calibrated prior to sample analysis utilizing theblack glass and white reference tiles supplied from the vendor with theinstrument. Calibration is done according to the manufacturer'sinstructions as set forth in LabScan XE User's Manual, Manual Version1.1, August 2001, A60-1010-862. If cleaning is required of the referencetiles or samples, only tissues that do not contain embossing, lotion, orbrighteners should be used (e.g., PUFFS tissue). Any sample point on theabsorbent article containing the imparted color to be analyzed can beselected.

The absorbent article 5 is placed over the sample port of thespectrophotometer with a white clamp disk placed behind the absorbentarticle 5. The absorbent article 5 is to be in a substantially flatcondition and free of wrinkles.

The absorbent article 5 is removed and repositioned so that a minimum ofsix readings of color of the body facing surface 10 are conducted. Ifpossible (e.g., the size of the imparted color on the element inquestion does not limit the ability to have six discretely different,non-overlapping sample points), each of the readings is to be performedat a substantially different region on the externally visible surface sothat no two sample points overlap. If the size of the colored regionrequires overlapping of sample points, only six samples should be takenwith the sample points selected to minimize overlap between any twosample points. The readings are averaged to yield the reported L*, a*,and b* values for a specified color on an externally visible surface ofan element. In calculating the CIELab color space volume, V, maximum andminimum L*, a*, and b* values reported are determined for a particularset of regions to be measured. The maximum and minimum L*, a*, and b*values reported are used to calculate the CIELab color space volume, V,according to the following formula:

$V = {\frac{4}{3}{\frac{\Delta \; L^{*}}{2}}{\frac{\Delta \; a^{*}}{2}}{\frac{\Delta \; b^{*}}{2}}}$

Within the above formula, ΔL* is the difference in L* values between thetwo colored regions being compared and is calculated by:ΔL*.L*_(X)−L*_(Y). The Δa* is the difference in a* values between thetwo colored regions being compared and is calculated by:Δa*.a*_(X)−a*_(Y). The Δb* is the difference in b* values between thetwo colored regions being compared and is calculated by:Δb*.b*_(X)−b*_(Y). The CIELab color space volume can result in a solidsubstantially ellipsoidal in shape. If ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb* are equal, thesolid will be spherical. As used herein, a “solid” refers to themathematical concept of a three-dimensional figure having length,breadth, and height (or depth). An ellipsoidal volume is preferred tocalculate volume because an ellipsoid generally requires the dimensionaldifferences of ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb* to be relatively more uniform thanother solids. Furthermore, it is believed that ellipsoidal volumes aremore visually acceptable (i.e., less detectable color mismatch by humanperception) than spherical volumes.

In some embodiments, the colors of at least two externally visiblesurfaces of discrete elements will occupy a CIELab color space volume ofless than about 200. The externally visible surfaces are analyzedaccording to the Test Method described above. Upon analysis, theinherent color of an element comprising an externally visible surfacewill yield L*, a*, and b* coordinates. The CIELab color space volume isthen calculated using the formula presented above. The resulting volumecan be less than about 200. The resulting volume can be less than about50.

It should be recognized that the colors of more than two discretecolored regions having a visible surface may occupy the aforementionedCIELab color space volumes. In calculating the CIELab color space volumefor more than two elements, the CIELab color space volume is calculatedusing the maximum and minimum L*, a*, and b* from a set of elements. Themaximum color values and minimum color values are used to calculate Vaccording to the formula presented above.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. An absorbent article comprising: a. an absorbent core; b. a firstlayer comprising a first colored region that includes at least one of acentral colored region, an intermediate colored region, and an outercolored region; and c. a second layer comprising a second colored regionthat includes at least one of a central colored region, an intermediatecolored region, and an outer colored region; wherein the first coloredregion differs from the second colored region.
 2. The absorbent articleof claim 1, wherein the first layer defines at least a portion of atopsheet.
 3. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the second layeris positioned underneath the topsheet.
 4. The absorbent article of claim1, wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layercomprises a polymer film.
 5. The absorbent article of claim 1, whereineach of the first layer and the second layer comprises a polymer film.6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article furthercomprises a background region that is visually distinguishable from atleast one of the first colored region and the second colored region. 7.The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first colored regioncomprises a first color, wherein the second colored region comprises asecond color, wherein a background region comprises a background color,and wherein a ΔE value between the first or second color and thebackground color is at least
 1. 8. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the first colored region comprises a first color, wherein thesecond colored region comprises a second color, and wherein the firstcolor and the second color occupy a CIELab color space volume of lessthan
 200. 9. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first coloredregion comprises a first color, wherein the second colored regioncomprises a second color, and wherein the first color and the secondcolor occupy a CIELab color space volume of less than
 50. 10. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article comprises a topsheetcomprising a background color that is visually distinguishable from thefirst colored region and the second colored region.
 11. An absorbentarticle comprising: a. a first layer comprising a first polymer filmhaving a first colored region that includes at least one of a centralcolored region, an intermediate colored region, and an outer coloredregion; and b. a second layer comprising a second polymer film having asecond colored region that includes at least one of a central coloredregion, an intermediate colored region, and an outer colored region;wherein the first colored region differs from the second colored region.12. The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the article furthercomprises a background region that is visually distinguishable from atleast one of the first colored region and the second colored region. 13.The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the first colored regioncomprises a first color, wherein the second colored region comprises asecond color, wherein a background region comprises a background color,and wherein a ΔE value between the first or second color and thebackground color is at least
 1. 14. The absorbent article of claim 11,wherein the first colored region comprises a first color, wherein thesecond colored region comprises a second color, and wherein the firstcolor and the second color occupy a CIELab color space volume of lessthan
 200. 15. The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the firstcolored region comprises a first color, wherein the second coloredregion comprises a second color, and wherein the first color and thesecond color occupy a CIELab color space volume of less than
 50. 16. Anabsorbent article comprising: a. a first layer comprising a nonwovenhaving a first colored region that includes at least one of a centralcolored region, an intermediate colored region, and an outer coloredregion; and b. a second layer comprising a polymer film having a secondcolored region that includes at least one of a central colored region,an intermediate colored region, and an outer colored region; wherein thefirst colored region differs from the second colored region.
 17. Theabsorbent article of claim 16, wherein the article further comprises abackground region that is visually distinguishable from at least one ofthe first colored region and the second colored region.
 18. Theabsorbent article of claim 16, wherein the first colored regioncomprises a first color, wherein the second colored region comprises asecond color, wherein a background region comprises a background color,and wherein a ΔE value between the first or second color and thebackground color is at least
 1. 19. The absorbent article of claim 16,wherein the first colored region comprises a first color, wherein thesecond colored region comprises a second color, and wherein the firstcolor and the second color occupy a CIELab color space volume of lessthan
 200. 20. The absorbent article of claim 16, wherein the firstcolored region comprises a first color, wherein the second coloredregion comprises a second color, and wherein the first color and thesecond color occupy a CIELab color space volume of less than 50.